Naming Gifts: More Than a Plaque

Thursday, September 24, 2026

Naming opportunities can inspire transformational gifts, commemorate a donor’s legacy, and play an important role in a successful capital or comprehensive campaign. But what happens when naming opportunities are offered without a clear strategy or policy? Who decides what gets named—and for how much? Can a donor combine a current gift with a planned gift to secure a naming opportunity? And what happens when a building changes, a company merges, a pledge goes unpaid, or a donor’s name is no longer appropriate?

Join Tracy Connelly, CFRE, President of Tracy Connelly Philanthropy LLC™, for a practical and interactive discussion about developing naming opportunities that support your fundraising strategy while protecting both the donor and your organization. We’ll explore naming and recognition policies, gift counting, planned gifts, legacy naming commitments, gift pyramids, and some of the pitfalls organizations should address before the plaque goes on the wall.

**NEW VENUE **

Hilton Garden Inn Fort Myers
12600 University Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33907
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SPEAKER: Tracy Connelly, CFRE

Tracy Connelly, CFRE, is President of Tracy Connelly Philanthropy LLC, a Southwest Florida consulting practice helping nonprofit organizations strengthen governance, strategy, philanthropy, and organizational capacity.

Tracy brings nearly 40 years of nonprofit leadership and fundraising experience, with expertise in capital campaign planning and readiness, major and planned giving, strategic planning, and board development. He has held the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential since 2015 and has been recognized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals as an Outstanding Fundraising Executive.

Through his consulting practice, Tracy works with nonprofit leaders and boards to turn ambitious ideas into practical fundraising strategies, stronger donor relationships, and sustainable results. He is also a BoardSource Certified Nonprofit Board Consultant.

Website: TCPhilanthropy.com

Agenda:

11:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Networking

12:00 - Plated Lunch begins**

12:15 p.m. -1:00 p.m. - Presentation

*Networking will begin at 11:15 a.m., with lunch service starting at 12:00 p.m. The presentation will begin promptly at 12:15 p.m.

Member RSVP: No fee

Non-Member & Guest RSVP: $45

LEGACY LEADER SPONSOR

COLLABORATORY

Since 1976, Collaboratory has partnered with donors to distribute more than $132M to the community. We are committed to bringing Southwest Florida together to solve all of our major social problems by 2040. Achieving this mission will require us to align impact to change systems which will improve regional outcomes.

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Planned Giving Council of Lee County, Inc. | 4600 Summerlin Road Suite C2-478 | Fort Myers, FL 33919 US

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